The best karatekas in the world are set to gather in Rotterdam (Netherlands) to clash for gold in one of the most anticipated events of the year: The Karate 1-Premier League Rotterdam.

The best karatekas in the world are set to gather in Rotterdam (Netherlands) to clash for gold in one of the most anticipated events of the year: The Karate 1-Premier League Rotterdam.

The third stop of the season of the 2018 Karate 1-Premier League is scheduled to capture the attention of fans from March 16 to 18, as first-class athletes are on their way to fight for the domination of international Karate and to continue their path towards the Olympic dream.

Among them, there is only one karateka who has managed to take medals in all four major Karate events this year. Japan’s Kiyou Shimizu will defend in Rotterdam the honour of being the most awarded competitor thus far this year. The Japanese Kata queen has claimed gold medals in Karate 1-Premier League Paris and in Karate 1-Series A Guadalajara and Salzburg, and a bronze medal in Karate 1-Premier League Dubai. All eyes will be set on the two-time World champion who aims at continuing the streak in teh Dutch city.

TWO GOLD MEDALS FOR YIAOYAN YIN AND ALIZEE AGIER

Meanwhile, no less than eleven karatekas will try to add up medals in Rotterdam to their success in Paris and Dubai. That is the case of Xiaoyan Yin of China. The Grand Winner in Female Kumite -61kg is one of the two competitors who had taken gold medals in both the two Karate 1-Premier League events of the season. The Chinese Grand Winner prevailed in Paris after defeating promising karateka Gwendoline Philippe of France in the final, and less than a month ago, the current Asian champion edged Jovana Prekovic of Serbia to claim the second gold medal this year.

Also with two gold medals under her belt, Alizee Agier of France is on quest to continue shining this season. The current European Championships runner-up has dominated the Female Kumite -68kg category in the two events thus demonstrating a high level of competitive Karate and becoming one of the biggest stars of the season thus far. 

RAFAEL AGHAYEV AMONG KARATEKAS AIMING FOR THIRD MEDAL

The front-runner status will be also owned in Rotterdam by athletes who finished the first two events with gold and silver medals. Superstar Rafael Aghayev of Azerbaijan will try to continue causing a sensation among his legion of fans; the five-time world champion aims at reaching the podium in Rotterdam after finishing second in Paris and winning in Dubai.

World champion Ryo Kiyuna of Japan has also taken one of the two top spots of the final podium in both events this season. The Japanese two-time world title-holder hopes to increase in Rotterdam his tally of one gold in Paris and one silver medal in Dubai.

Egypt’s Ahmed Elmasry has become the biggest new name of international Karate since the U21 World champion has earned one silver and one gold this year. Before taking the spotlight this season and dominating the Male Kumite -84kg category, the Egyptian sensation had only participated in two Karate 1-Premier League events.

Grand Winners Damian Quintero and Sandra Sanchez of Spain are also two of the big stars this year. The two World ranking leaders in Kata showcased outstanding level to claim one gold and one bronze medals respectively. 

Hong Kong’s Mo Sheung Grace Lau with one silver and one bronze in Female Kata, and Spain’s Cristina Vizcaino in Female Kumite -68kg, Grand Winner Sadriddin Saymatov of Uzbekistan in Male Kumite -60kg and Grand Winner Stanislav Horuna in Male Kumite -75kg, all of them with two bronze medals, complete the list of the big favourites in the Karate 1-Premier League Rotterdam.

The final day of action of the Karate 1-Premier League Rotterdam will be broadcast to a worldwide viewing audience on many TV Networks around the world and on KARATEWORLD.TV.

For a full list of TV Networks and countries CLICK HERE and select your country to see where you can watch the Karate 1-Premier League Rotterdam.

CLICK HERE to go to KarateWorld.TV.